length of hospital stay after birth

virginiaunicorn11 · April 2015

Did I miss a thread on this? Am wondering what your plans are/what you've done in the past?

My hospital and insurance are pretty flexible, so I don't know what is reasonable for how long to stay in the hospital, assuming (knock on wood) no complications. My friend had a 7 hour labor in February and left the hospital three hours later. I have a feeling I will want more time and support from the lactation consultants, but the "up to a week" suggestion they've told me seems a bit long.

One night? Three? Yeah, I know it depends...

KaLikeAWind · April 2015

A friend of mine said she stayed two nights. That sounds like it would be ok for me. One night to get some rest, the next day to get the hang of things with a baby in a supportive place with people to answer my questions, a night of rest with more people to help me should I need it, then home. Tho, knowing my personality, I'd probably be cranky or anxious or just plain homesick and want to not spend another night there once it comes to it. If not for the 2nd night then I would definitely feel that way the next day. 2 nights would probably be the limit for me

KaLikeAWind · April 2015

And then on night 3 (1st night at home) I'd be totally freaking out and wish I had stayed, lol

lovethatcolosun · April 2015

I originally did two nights, went home with baby for three hours then back to ER because his breathing wasn't quite right, this extended our stay to a total of five nights with him in a low level NICU. I was ready to leave after two, and was glad to have the second night because DS was not a happy camper the night after he was circumcised. The nursing support was amazing as was the lactation help. I'd say 2-3 nights as a FTM is a good balance based on how comfortable you feel (pain wise) and how well baby is doing. So many factors weigh into this, so it's hard to say what's "best."

taboullio84 · April 2015

The most I ever stayed was 2 days.I don't know if I could handle more than that.

sschwege · April 2015

For an uncomplicated vaginal delivery I think standard is 24-48 hours. With my first I wanted out of there at 24 hours, it is annoying with people coming in and out. I remember them coming at 4am to do DD's hearing test...really? With DS and probably this baby as well I wanted to stay the full 48. My reason being that is the only time where they sort of get to be the only child, I can just devote all my attention to them those first two days and not worry about my older two.

klkonwi · April 2015

We require 24-36 hrs for vaginal and 48 minimum for csections. I dunno how crazy I'll be if I have to have a csection and stay for more than 48 hrs ahhhhh!!!

princessbmw · April 2015

My hospital is 2 days for vaginal, 3 for c section.

mccall35 · April 2015

klkonwi said:
We require 24-36 hrs for vaginal and 48 minimum for csections. I dunno how crazy I'll be if I have to have a csection and stay for more than 48 hrs ahhhhh!!!

Having had a csection, I was glad for my 3 day stay. Yeah, the hospital isn't my first choice for a little getaway, but it was super helpful to have the extra hands those first few days when it was a struggle to sit and stand! Those days flew by!

As for the OP: my hospital suggests 1-2 days for uncomplicated vaginal birth and 3-4 days for csection.

ReadyforBaby2 · April 2015

I stayed only 24 hours with my first and I kinda wished I had stayed longer. First time breastfeeding mom should really consider staying to ensure the support that might be needed. Hoping for 2 days with this one.

saraelizabeth33 · April 2015

My hospital says 48 hrs for vaginal. I had my first in the middle of the night and we stayed that day and the next night and got zero sleep (nurses were in and out of our room every hour-hour and a half for vitals for me or the baby. We had no complications so I have no idea why we had to get checked that much in the middle of the night!) We opted to not stay the next night even though the hospital "recommended" it and went home in the afternoon but we had to sign a bunch of papers for leaving early. That night I didn't get much sleep either because I was afraid he wasn't getting enough to eat and we ended up on the phone with his pediatrician and giving him a bottle. That made mom and baby feel lots better and it was lots more comfortable being at home!

dancegurl1118 · April 2015

Insurance covers 2 nights for vaginal, 4 for c-section. Minimum 24 hours after vaginal. I'll probably lose my mind after 24 hours depending on what time I deliver. However if I have a cesarean delivery I will be grateful for the extra time and support because abdominal surgery is no joke.

Penwater1 · April 2015

Many are 2day for vaginal and 3-4 for c-section. I was 4 days after c-section. They used to kick Mom out right away and that was a problem they found it effected the health of the mom and the baby. This way they can ensure proper feed, changing, & washing of baby is passed on.

MaliKaela · April 2015

Oh I didn't realize you had to stay that long. That sucks. I have fibro and when I had to stay six hours for preterm contractions at 26 weeks I was in so much pain. The bed was so uncomfortable and my whole back was killing me. Well I won't be looking forward to that.

mrs1374a · April 2015

I had an emergency c section and I stayed for 2 nights. The third night I wish I would have stayed one more. I had the option. I think this time I may stay the extra night, even though, I probably won't, I will want to get home to my 3 year old!

AlyLynn07 · April 2015

I stayed for about 36h with DS1. He was born at 11pm so we stayed 2 nights. I was so ready to go home!! I think they recommend at least 48h for c sections. Also, they often want babies born to moms who are group B strep positive to stay at least 48h to monitor baby for fevers, etc.

Knottie36157349 · April 2015

My hostipal stay was a day and a half . vaginal delivery no complications.i had my daughter 12/24/12 and I left the hospital late on the 26th

TheNewMrsY · April 2015

I had my DD at 10:30pm on the 22nd of the month and went home on the 25th (csec). So technically 3 nights and I was glad to have that time to utilize the resources.

ksimo6 · April 2015

I had a scheduled c-section and stayed 3 nights. It was 1 night too long!

MixedCurlsXo · April 2015

My hospital only allows 24 hours for vaginal birth & 48 hours for a csection. It doesn't seem like much time at all! But they do send a nurse for a home visit a few days after delivery.

47923ang · April 2015

My hospital says max is 48 hours for vaginal and max 72 hours for c section.

MrsWiggleWaggle · April 2015

In korea 3 weeks is pretty standard hospital recovery time.

fpledger · April 2015

With my first.I stayed 3 days because of csection. My doctor us planning the same with this csection but also because of the tubal.

lalamomma · April 2015

When I had DD I should have stayed longer because I was experiencing complications but didn't fully realize what was going on. Plus DD had jaundice and the intern Pediatrician told them that, they said no she was fine and we were back within 24 hours anyway.

I stayed 2 nights post delivery and left around lunch on day 3.

I think the time in Ohio is shorter which makes me a little sad. I was ready to go but not any sooner than I did. Plus the hospital here is much nicer for my DH too. He will appreciate not sleeping in a recliner.

123BabyMomma · April 2015

With my DS I stayed 3 hours after the birth. It was an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. The midwife came to visit me at home later that day so I was comfortable going home to sleep in my own bed.

laurendutch · April 2015

My insurance and hospital allows for 96 hours (5 days) for c-sections. With my twins, I stayed the whole 96 hours. It was only the last night that it became uncomfortable and the noises started to bother me. This time, I hope to stay for 72 hours. I think that is a minimum for a c-section, for my Dr and hospital.

annatta79 · April 2015

Birth center birth. Went home 3.5 hours after he was born. Midwife came to the house the next day to check and see how things were going. Had a LC come over on day 3 b/c we were having some issues nursing (lip and tongue tie). I loved getting to be home and not having to hang out in a hospital.

ElRuby · April 2015

MrsWiggleWaggle said:
In korea 3 weeks is pretty standard hospital recovery time.

Holy ridiculous! I would go bonkers!

virginiaunicorn11 · April 2015

MrsWiggleWaggle said:
In korea 3 weeks is pretty standard hospital recovery time.

Wow, I didn't know this. I lived there for a year after college. Are you giving birth in Korea? Is this similar to the type of confinement that they do for new moms in China? (I know the cultures are not the same/very different. Just trying to understand if the three weeks is about pampering the mom for her recovery, like the Chinese tradition which is in the home, I believe.) I really love learning about cultural differences in pregnancy and birth. Thanks for sharing!

virginiaunicorn11 · April 2015

laurendutch said:
My insurance and hospital allows for 96 hours (5 days) for c-sections. With my twins, I stayed the whole 96 hours. It was only the last night that it became uncomfortable and the noises started to bother me. This time, I hope to stay for 72 hours. I think that is a minimum for a c-section, for my Dr and hospital.

There is something about an insurance company that times it to the hour that irks me. But I hope you get to decide on whatever you need, and have an easy recovery!

All of these responses are so helpful. Thanks, everyone!

MrsWiggleWaggle · April 2015

amark11 said:

MrsWiggleWaggle said:
In korea 3 weeks is pretty standard hospital recovery time.
Wow, I didn't know this. I lived there for a year after college. Are you giving birth in Korea? Is this similar to the type of confinement that they do for new moms in China? (I know the cultures are not the same/very different. Just trying to understand if the three weeks is about pampering the mom for her recovery, like the Chinese tradition which is in the home, I believe.) I really love learning about cultural differences in pregnancy and birth. Thanks for sharing!

From what I understand the 3 weeks is more what we would consider a "pampering". Korean moms take advantage of the time to recover while the nurses do the heavy lifting so to speak I. Terms of caring for the baby. I've heard that some moms see their baby for feeding and that's about it. Cost is relatively low for hospital stays there. Expats I know have had arguments with their med providers in Korea because they wanted the baby to stay in the room with them.

While the care is top notch in Korea everything is just different enough that it drives me crazy. No questions, 5 minute diagnosis, no treatment options...once again the care is good but my American sensibilities get rubbed the wrong way sometimes. So we are actually planning to return to the states for delivery but I do have a korean baby doctor.

laurendutch · April 2015

amark11 said:

laurendutch said:
My insurance and hospital allows for 96 hours (5 days) for c-sections. With my twins, I stayed the whole 96 hours. It was only the last night that it became uncomfortable and the noises started to bother me. This time, I hope to stay for 72 hours. I think that is a minimum for a c-section, for my Dr and hospital.
There is something about an insurance company that times it to the hour that irks me. But I hope you get to decide on whatever you need, and have an easy recovery!

All of these responses are so helpful. Thanks, everyone!

Oh, I don't think they are super strict about it. And I think if you were to deliver at say 2 am in the morning...they would be okay with you leaving at 10 am or so. I think they just put the hours there because days can become a little confusing...ya know? Like I came in on Tuesday night at 10pm, is that a day? Also, I always thought the 48/96 hours was a USA federal law????

AllisonCorey · April 2015

I had to stay two nights after a vaginal delivery. Because my first was born really late and the rule at the hospital was they needed to watch the baby for a full 24 hours, and they stop discharging around 7pm so had to stay another night.

MJMum524 · April 2015

If no complications and vaginal birth, I'd suggest staying one night MAX. All depends on your needs though. A friend stayed in hospital for 3 days with vaginal birth and no complications but she was severely constipated so her doctor wouldn't let her go until she had a BM. Do what feels right. For me, I could not leave fast enough. Way more comfortable to be at home!

balderasmama · April 2015

I am thinking you're a FTM from the question. I would stay as long as possible, normally its 2 nights for vaginal, 4 for Ceasarean. My first I stayed two nights and it was great. Second one I left after 24 hours because I had to share a room, and then was begging my husband to take me back (he offered, I started crying because I knew he couldn't). Third one, stayed until they kicked me out, I even insisted they give me my last meal before I went.
The second night of a baby's life is notorious for being difficult. The baby is more alert and wants to feed constantly. It's nice to have the help of the nurse when your exhausted and questioning what's normal.
You'll know when you feel ready to go home. Until that point, stay as long as they'll let you!

Want a personalized experience?

length of hospital stay after birth

Re: length of hospital stay after birth

Choose Another Board

Search Boards